First Northwest Bancorp

Previous wording

We have increased the amount of our commercial real estate and multi-family loans to $721.1 million, or 43.4%, of our total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2023, from $641.6 million, or 41.5%, of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2022. We intend to continue to increase, subject to market demand, our origination and purchase of commercial real estate loans. As an institution’s concentration in commercial real estate lending increases, it becomes subject to more scrutiny under the FDIC's policies for management of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.

Current wording

We have increased the amount of our commercial real estate and multi-family loans to $723.0 million, or 42.6%, of our total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2024, from $721.1 million, or 43.4%, of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2023. We intend to continue to increase, subject to market demand, our origination and purchase of commercial real estate loans. As an institution’s concentration in commercial real estate lending increases, it becomes subject to more scrutiny under the FDIC's policies for management of its commercial real estate loan portfolio.

Previous wording

Since commercial real estate loans generally have large balances, deterioration in the quality of commercial loans may result in the need to significantly increase our provision for credit losses on loans and charge-offs will likely be larger on a per loan basis compared to consumer loans. As a result, deterioration of this portfolio could have a materially adverse effect on our future earnings. Collateral evaluation and financial statement analysis for commercial loans also requires a more detailed review at origination and on an ongoing basis. Finally, if we foreclose on a commercial real estate loan, our holding period for the collateral is typically longer than for a one-to-four family residence because the market for most types of commercial real estate is not readily liquid, resulting in less opportunity to mitigate credit risk by selling part or all of our interest in these assets. At December 31, 2023, we had $28,000 of nonperforming commercial real estate loans and $0 of nonperforming multi-family loans in our portfolio.

Current wording

Since commercial real estate loans generally have large balances, deterioration in the quality of commercial loans may result in the need to significantly increase our provision for credit losses on loans and charge-offs will likely be larger on a per loan basis compared to consumer loans. As a result, deterioration of this portfolio could have a materially adverse effect on our future earnings. Collateral evaluation and financial statement analysis for commercial loans also requires a more detailed review at origination and on an ongoing basis. Finally, if we foreclose on a commercial real estate loan, our holding period for the collateral is typically longer than for a one-to-four family residence because the market for most types of commercial real estate is not readily liquid, resulting in less opportunity to mitigate credit risk by selling part or all of our interest in these assets. At December 31, 2024, we had $5,598,000 of nonperforming commercial real estate loans and $0 of nonperforming multi-family loans in our portfolio.

Previous wording

In 2022, we began purchasing unsecured consumer loans through a partnership with Splash Financial, a private lender that underwrites and funds personal loans. First Fed has experienced losses of $3.4 million on the Splash Financial loans to date. We made changes to the program participation criteria for these loans in 2023 with the goal of reducing additional losses. Additional losses in our unsecured lending portfolio would negatively affect our profitability and capital.

Current wording

In 2022, we began purchasing unsecured consumer loans through a partnership with Splash Financial, a private lender that underwrites and funds personal loans. First Fed has experienced losses of $3.4 million on the Splash Financial loans to date. We made changes to the program participation criteria for these loans in 2023 with the goal of reducing additional losses. Purchases of Splash loans were suspended in August 2023. Additional losses in our unsecured lending portfolio would negatively affect our profitability and capital.

Previous wording

Since the completion of our initial public offering in January 2015, we have grown substantially in terms of total assets, total loans, total deposits, employees, and locations, expanding our business activities throughout the Puget Sound region. Our commercial loan portfolio, which includes loans for commercial and multi-family real estate as well as other business loans, has increased to $833.4 million, or 50.2% of total loans, at December 31, 2023, from $718.6 million, or 46.4% of total loans, at December 31, 2022. One-to-four family loans have increased to $378.4 million, or 22.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2023, from $343.6 million, or 22.2% of total loans, at December 31, 2022. Total consumer loans have increased to $318.5 million, or 19.2% of total loans, at December 31, 2023, from $291.8 million, or 18.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2022. Rapidly growing loan portfolios are, by their nature, less seasoned and our experience with these loans may not provide us with a useful payment history pattern. Rapid growth combined with the geographic expansion of our lending area may make estimating loan loss allowances more difficult and more susceptible to changes in estimates, and to losses exceeding estimates, than our more seasoned portfolio of loans in our traditional lending area. As a result, it is difficult to predict the future performance of these parts of our loan portfolio. These loans may develop delinquency or charge-off levels above our historical experience, which could adversely affect our future performance.

Current wording

Since the completion of our initial public offering in January 2015, we have grown substantially in terms of total assets, total loans, total deposits, employees, and locations, expanding our business activities throughout the Puget Sound region. Our commercial loan portfolio, which includes loans for commercial and multi-family real estate as well as other business loans, has increased to $874.5 million, or 51.6% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, from $833.4 million, or 50.2% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. One-to-four family loans have increased to $395.3 million, or 23.3% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, from $378.4 million, or 22.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2023. Total consumer loans have increased to $347.9 million, or 20.6% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, from $318.5 million, or 19.2% of total loans, at December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

First Fed has extended significant amounts of credit to certain borrowers, largely in connection with high-end residential real estate and commercial and multi-family real estate loans. At December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of loans, including unused commitments, to First Fed's five largest borrowers (including related entities) amounted to approximately $95.8 million. Outstanding loan balances for the ten largest borrowing relationships at December 31, 2023, totaled $171.2 million, or 10.3% of total loans. Although only one of the loans to First Fed's 20 largest borrowers was nonperforming as of December 31, 2023, concentration of credit to a limited number of borrowers increases the risk in First Fed's loan portfolio. If one or more of these borrowers is not able to service the contractual repayment, the potential loss to First Fed is more likely to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

First Fed has extended significant amounts of credit to certain borrowers, largely in connection with high-end residential real estate and commercial and multi-family real estate loans. At December 31, 2024, the aggregate amount of loans, including unused commitments, to First Fed's five largest borrowers (including related entities) amounted to approximately $95.9 million. Outstanding loan balances for the ten largest borrowing relationships at December 31, 2024, totaled $165.7 million, or 9.8% of total loans. Although only one of the loans to First Fed's 20 largest borrowers was nonperforming as of December 31, 2024, concentration of credit to a limited number of borrowers increases the risk in First Fed's loan portfolio. If one or more of these borrowers is not able to service the contractual repayment, the potential loss to First Fed is more likely to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

During the year ended December 31, 2023, our construction and land loans decreased $64.0 million, or 33.0%, to $129.7 million, or 7.8%, of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2023 and consisted of properties secured by multi-family of $66.7 million, one-to-four family residential of $43.7 million, commercial real estate of $11.8 million, and land of $7.5 million. Land loans include raw land and land acquisition and development loans.

Current wording

During the year ended December 31, 2024, our construction and land loans decreased $51.6 million, or 39.8%, to $78.1 million, or 4.6%, of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024 and consisted of properties secured by multi-family of $15.4 million, one-to-four family residential of $38.9 million, commercial real estate of $17.3 million, and land of $6.5 million. Land loans include raw land and land acquisition and development loans.

Previous wording

In addition, during the term of most of our construction loans, no payment from the borrower is required since the accumulated interest is added to the principal of the loan through an interest reserve. As a result, these loans often involve the disbursement of funds with repayment substantially dependent on the successful outcome of the project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or obtain permanent take-out financing, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of a completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project and may incur a loss. Because construction loans require active monitoring of the building process, including cost comparisons and on-site inspections, these loans are more difficult and costly to monitor. Increases in market rates of interest may have a more pronounced effect on construction loans by rapidly increasing the end-purchasers' borrowing costs, thereby reducing the overall demand for the project. Properties under construction are often difficult to sell and typically must be completed in order to be successfully sold, which also complicates the process of working out problem construction loans. This may require us to advance additional funds and/or contract with another builder to complete construction and assume the market risk of selling the project at a future market price, which may or may not enable us to fully recover unpaid loan funds and associated construction and liquidation costs.

Current wording

In addition, during the term of most of our construction loans, no payment from the borrower is required since the accumulated interest is added to the principal of the loan through an interest reserve. As a result, these loans often involve the disbursement of funds with repayment substantially dependent on the successful outcome of the project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property or obtain permanent take-out financing, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of a completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project and may incur a loss. Because construction loans require active monitoring of the building process, including cost comparisons and on-site inspections, these loans are more difficult and costly to monitor. Increases in market rates of interest may have a more pronounced effect on construction loans by rapidly increasing the end-purchasers' borrowing costs, thereby reducing the overall demand for the project. Properties under construction are often difficult to sell and typically must be completed in order to be successfully sold, which also complicates the process of working out problem construction loans. Under these circumstances we may be required to advance additional funds and/or contract with another builder to complete construction and assume the market risk of selling the project at a future market price, which may or may not enable us to fully recover unpaid loan funds and associated construction and liquidation costs.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, $447.8 million, or 27.0% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of one-to-four family mortgage loans and home equity loans secured by residential properties. Lending on residential property is sensitive to regional and local economic conditions that significantly impact the ability of borrowers to meet their loan payment obligations, making loss levels difficult to predict. Declines in residential real estate values securing these types of loans may increase the level of borrower defaults and losses above the recent charge-off experience on these loans. Jumbo one-to-four family residential loans that do not conform to secondary market mortgage requirements for our market areas would not be immediately saleable to Freddie Mac or other investors and may expose us to increased risk because of their larger balances. Further, a significant amount of our home equity lines of credit consist of loans in a subordinate lien position to a first lienholder.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, $474.4 million, or 28.0% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of one-to-four family mortgage loans and home equity loans secured by residential properties. Lending on residential property is sensitive to regional and local economic conditions that significantly impact the ability of borrowers to meet their loan payment obligations, making loss levels difficult to predict. Declines in residential real estate values securing these types of loans may increase the level of borrower defaults and losses above the recent charge-off experience on these loans. Jumbo one-to-four family residential loans that do not conform to secondary market mortgage requirements for our market areas would not be immediately saleable to Freddie Mac or other investors and may expose us to increased risk because of their larger balances. Further, a significant amount of our home equity lines of credit consist of loans in a subordinate lien position to a first lienholder.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, we had $112.3 million, or 6.8% of total loans, in commercial business loans. Commercial business lending involves risks that are different from those associated with residential and commercial real estate lending. Real estate lending is generally considered to be collateral-based lending with loan amounts based on the value of the collateral and predetermined loan to collateral ratios; liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral is the primary source of repayment in the event of borrower default. Our commercial business loans are primarily supported by the cash flow of the borrower and secondarily by the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The borrowers' cash flows may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Although commercial business loans are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of default is often an insufficient source of repayment. Factors affecting the value of this type of collateral include uncollectable accounts receivable and obsolete or limited use inventory, among others.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, we had $151.5 million, or 8.9% of total loans, in commercial business loans. Commercial business lending involves risks that are different from those associated with residential and commercial real estate lending. Real estate lending is generally considered to be collateral-based lending with loan amounts based on the value of the collateral and predetermined loan to collateral ratios; liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral is the primary source of repayment in the event of borrower default. Our commercial business loans are primarily supported by the cash flow of the borrower and secondarily by the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The borrowers' cash flows may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Although commercial business loans are often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of default is often an insufficient source of repayment. Factors affecting the value of this type of collateral include uncollectable accounts receivable and obsolete or limited use inventory, among others.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, our nonperforming assets, which consist of nonaccrual loans, real estate owned and repossessed assets, were $18.6 million, or 0.8% of total assets. Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, our nonperforming assets, which consist of nonaccrual loans, real estate owned and repossessed assets, were $30.5 million, or 1.4% of total assets. Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. If additional borrowers become delinquent and do not pay their loans and we are unable to successfully manage our nonperforming assets, our losses and troubled assets could increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent on our net interest income. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve slowed its increases to the federal funds target rate in 2023, with the most recent increase occurring in July 2023. When the Federal Reserve Board increases the Fed Funds rate, overall interest rates will likely rise, which may negatively impact housing markets by reducing refinancing activity and new home purchases. A rising or elevated interest rate environment may also adversely affect the U.S. economy and, as a result, our business as a whole. The Federal Reserve has communicated that the economic outlook continues to be uncertain, and while it has stated that rates may decrease later in 2024, there can be no assurance of the timing or amount of any future rate adjustments. Further, there can be no assurance regarding any forecasts or predictions about the effect that any future rate adjustment may have on our results of operations.

Current wording

Our earnings and cash flows are largely dependent on our net interest income. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve decreased the federal funds target rate beginning in September 2024, with the most recent decrease occurring in December 2024. When the Federal Reserve Board decreases the Fed Funds rate, overall interest rates will likely fall, which may positively impact housing markets by increasing refinancing activity and new home purchases. A falling interest rate environment may also positively affect the U.S. economy and, as a result, our business as a whole. However, there can be no assurance of the timing or amount of any future rate adjustments. Further, there can be no assurance regarding any forecasts or predictions about the effect that any future rate adjustment may have on our results of operations.

Previous wording

Further changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and investments and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but these changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate and/or sell mortgage and SBA loans; (ii) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, which could negatively impact shareholders' equity, and our ability to realize gains from sales of such assets; (iii) our ability to obtain and retain deposits in competition with other available investment alternatives; (iv) the ability of our borrowers to repay adjustable or variable rate loans; and (v) the average duration of our mortgage-backed securities portfolio and other interest-earning assets. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

Current wording

Further changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and investments and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but these changes could also affect (i) our ability to originate and/or sell mortgage and SBA loans; (ii) the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, which could negatively impact shareholders' equity, and our ability to realize gains from sales of such assets; (iii) our ability to obtain and retain deposits in competition with other available investment alternatives; (iv) the ability of our borrowers to repay adjustable or variable rate loans; and (v) the average duration of our MBS portfolio and other interest-earning assets. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

Previous wording

Additional changes in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations or by reducing our margins and profitability. Our net interest margin is the net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Further changes in interest rates, up or down, could adversely affect our net interest margin and, as a result, our net interest income. Although the yield we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our net interest margin to expand or contract. Our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, so they may adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates. As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs may rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our net interest margin to contract until the yields on interest-earning assets catch up. Changes in the slope of the "yield curve", or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates, could also reduce our net interest margin. Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates. Because our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we could experience pressure on our net interest margin as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets.

Current wording

Increases in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations or by reducing our margins and profitability. Our net interest margin is the net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Further changes in interest rates, up or down, could adversely affect our net interest margin and, as a result, our net interest income. Although the yield we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our net interest margin to expand or contract. Our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, so they may adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates. As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs may rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our net interest margin to contract until the yields on interest-earning assets catch up. Changes in the slope of the "yield curve", or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates, could also reduce our net interest margin. Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates. Because our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we could experience pressure on our net interest margin as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets.

Previous wording

A sustained increase in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings. As a result of the exceptionally low interest rate environment in the years prior to 2022, a high percentage of our deposits were composed of deposits bearing no or a relatively low rate of interest and having a shorter duration than our assets. We will likely incur a higher cost of funds to retain these deposits in the current elevated interest rate environment. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, would be adversely affected.

Current wording

A sustained increase in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings. As a result of the exceptionally low interest rate environment in the years prior to 2022, a high percentage of our deposits were composed of deposits bearing no or a relatively low rate of interest and having a shorter duration than our assets. We would likely incur a higher cost of funds to retain these deposits in an elevated interest rate environment. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, would be adversely affected.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, $105.4 million of our consumer, $38.1 million of our comm ercial real estate, and $19.2 million of our one-to-four family loan portfolios were serviced by third parties. When a loan goes into default, it is the responsibility of the third-party servicer to enforce the borrower’s obligation to repay the outstanding indebtedness. We are reliant on the servicer to bring the loan current, enter into a satisfactory loan modification or foreclose on the property on behalf of First Fed. We must comply with any loan modification entered into by the servicer even if we would not otherwise agree to the modified terms, which may result in a reduction in our interest income due to the loan modification. Delays in foreclosing on property, whether caused by restrictions under state or federal law or the failure of a third-party servicer to timely pursue foreclosure action, may increase our potential loss on such property, due to factors such as lack of maintenance, unpaid property taxes and adverse changes in market conditions. These delays may adversely affect our ability to limit our credit losses.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, $145.7 million of our consumer, $36.1 million of our comm ercial real estate, and $16.5 million of our one-to-four family loan portfolios were serviced by third parties. When a loan goes into default, it is the responsibility of the third-party servicer to enforce the borrower’s obligation to repay the outstanding indebtedness. We are reliant on the servicer to bring the loan current, enter into a satisfactory loan modification or foreclose on the property on behalf of First Fed. We must comply with any loan modification entered into by the servicer even if we would not otherwise agree to the modified terms, which may result in a reduction in our interest income due to the loan modification. Delays in foreclosing on property, whether caused by restrictions under state or federal law or the failure of a third-party servicer to timely pursue foreclosure action, may increase our potential loss on such property, due to factors such as lack of maintenance, unpaid property taxes and adverse changes in market conditions. These delays may adversely affect our ability to limit our credit losses.

Previous wording

Washington law provides that Washington chartered commercial banks are subject to loans-to-one-borrower restrictions, which generally restrict total loans and extensions of credit by a bank to 20% of its unimpaired capital and surplus. As a result, under Washington law, First Fed would be limited to loans to one borrower of $46.0 million at December 31, 2023. Under its current policy, First Fed has elected to restrict its loans to one borrower to no more than 60% of the Bank's lending limit, which is adjusted quarterly and was $34.5 million at December 31, 2023, unless specifically approved by the Senior Loan Committee as an exception to policy. This amount is significantly less than that of many of our competitors and may discourage potential commercial borrowers who have credit needs in excess of our loans to one borrower lending limit from doing business with us. Our loans to one borrower restriction also impacts the efficiency of our commercial lending operation because it lowers our average loan size, which means we have to generate a higher number of transactions to achieve the same portfolio volume. We can accommodate larger loans by selling participations in those loans to other financial partners, but this strategy is not the most efficient or always available. We may not be able to attract or maintain clients seeking larger loans or may not be able to sell participations in these loans on terms we consider favorable.

Current wording

Washington law provides that Washington chartered commercial banks are subject to loans-to-one-borrower restrictions, which generally restrict total loans and extensions of credit by a bank to 20% of its unimpaired capital and surplus. As a result, under Washington law, First Fed would be limited to loans to one borrower of $45.7 million at December 31, 2024. Under its current policy, First Fed has elected to restrict its loans to one borrower to no more than 60% of the Bank's lending limit, which is adjusted quarterly and was $34.3 million at December 31, 2024, unless specifically approved by the Senior Loan Committee as an exception to policy. This amount is significantly less than that of many of our competitors and may discourage potential commercial borrowers who have credit needs in excess of our loans to one borrower lending limit from doing business with us. Our loans to one borrower restriction also impacts the efficiency of our commercial lending operation because it lowers our average loan size, which means we have to generate a higher number of transactions to achieve the same portfolio volume. We can accommodate larger loans by selling participations in those loans to other financial partners, but this strategy is not the most efficient or always available. We may not be able to attract or maintain clients seeking larger loans or may not be able to sell participations in these loans on terms we consider favorable.

Previous wording

We are subject to extensive examination, supervision and comprehensive regulation by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC as insurer of our deposits, and by the DFI. First Northwest Bancorp is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve (as a financial holding company) and regulation by the State of Washington (as a Washington corporation). The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the FDIC and the DFI. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which we may engage, primarily for the protection of depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the ability to impose restrictions on an institution’s operations, require additional capital, reclassify assets, determine the adequacy of an institution’s allowance for credit losses on loans and determine the level of deposit insurance premiums assessed. Any future changes to the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us could make compliance more difficult and expensive, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or prospects.

Current wording

We are subject to extensive examination, supervision and comprehensive regulation by the Federal Reserve, the FDIC as insurer of our deposits, and by the DFI. First Northwest Bancorp is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve (as a financial holding company) and regulation by the State of Washington (as a Washington corporation). The Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the FDIC and the DFI. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which we may engage, primarily for the protection of depositors and the Deposit Insurance Fund. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the ability to impose restrictions on an institution’s operations, require additional capital, reclassify assets, determine the adequacy of an institution’s allowance for credit losses on loans and determine the level of deposit insurance premiums assessed. For example, in November 2023, the Bank entered into a consent order with the FDIC in connection with certain deficiencies in the Bank's compliance program. The consent order was terminated on October 23, 2024. Any future changes to the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us could make compliance more difficult and expensive, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or prospects.

Previous wording

We may also expand our digital footprint through partnerships with and investments in fintech companies. The new technology and start-up companies we invest in may not be as successful as anticipated or may fail, resulting a total loss of our related investment.

Current wording

We may also expand our digital footprint through partnerships with and investments in fintech companies. The new technology and start-up companies we invest in may not be as successful as anticipated or may fail, resulting in a total loss of our related investment.